In the United States– I made 4 teaching-preaching trips I presented seminars in 4 Spanish-speaking churches I led a congregational planning workshop in an English-speaking church I taught and preached in five other churches, making mission reports or helping with mission emphasis days Internationally– I made 8 international trips, spending 104 days out of the …
Continue reading “Reviewing 2012 Mission-Ministry Activities”
At the start of 2013, for several days I published entries from my current writing project: A Short Guide to Reading the Psalms Devotionally. My goal is to write at least one devotional guide each day–and to stay ahead of those who began the new year reading a psalm each day. [It is always a …
Continue reading “A Short Guide to Reading the Psalms Devotionally”
In Acts 20 we read about Paul’s travel to Troas where he stayed seven days, apparently desiring to be present on a Sunday (first day of the week) so he could worship with the local church. In Acts 20:7, Luke writes that Paul and those with him (we) assembled with the church to observe the …
Continue reading “It’s Sunday Again: Coming Together to Break Bread”
Today I am thinking about Paul’s prayer for the Ephesians: “I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being” (Eph. 3:16). One of my goals for 2013 is to grow spiritually, to become stronger in the Spirit. One way I am doing that …
Continue reading “It’s Sunday Again: Strengthening the Spirit”
This psalm continues a series of short psalms that call upon God to deliver, expressing confidence in God’s willingness to act. Reading: Psalm 4:1-8 If the psalmist’s plaintiff cry seems too directional in demanding that God act, the first verse can be understood as a request. “May God answer, may God give me relief, may …
The next twelve psalms (3-14) generally belong to the category of psalms of deliverance and praise. The NIV Study Bible notes suggest a 5+1+5+1 pattern. Psalms 3-7 are followed by Psalm 8, a creation psalm which declares the glory of God. Psalm 8 is also recognized as a Messianic psalm with a clear reference to …
The first book of the Psalms (1-41) is framed by blessings (1:1, 2:13, 40:4, 41:1). In addition to the “blessed is the man….” of Psalm 1, one finds “blessed are all who take refuge in him,” “blessed is the man who makes the Lord his trust,” and “blessed is he who has regard for the …
The purpose of the division of the Psalms into five books (1-41, 42-72, 73-89, 90-106, 107-150) is not clear. The divisions may be based on the use of the names of God, traditional collections, or other factors. Recent studies have suggested the possibility of thoughtful structures, often chiastic (as in the NIV Study Bible, 2002). …
